Even as the people are up in arms against the project, the State government has said that the doubling of railway track from Castle rock to Vasco is a project of national importance for strengthening infrastructure and improve connectivity, which will lead to socio-economic development of people.
In a written reply to Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha in the Assemly, Chief Minister Dr pramod Sawant who also hold the Forest portfolio said that the Goa State Board for Wildlife (GSBWL) has recommended the proposal of doubling of South Western Railway Tracks between Castle-rock-Kulem-Kalay-Margao section to National Board of Wildlife for consideration as per the Forest Conservation Act-1980.
However, he said, that no approval has been granted under the Forest (Conservation) Act-1980 so far to this project. “Also, no approval has been granted under Forest (Conservation) Act-1980 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt of India, which is the competent authority,” he added.
Further, on the Environment Impact Assessment report, he said, the length of the stretch covered in EIA report within Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park is 27.62 km.
“The doubling of Rail line will be done along the existing Rail line using primarily the railway land of 84.99 ha., which later was enclosed in Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and now has the status of forest land,” the CM said.
On the impact of project on wildlife, he said, the EIA report prepared by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore on behalf of South Western Railways, suitable mitigation measures have been proposed to minimise impact on wildlife and ensure safe passage to wild animals.
“However, in order to reduce accidental killing of wildlife several mitigation measures such as i) use of signage for workers/ staff ii) using experience drivers iii) sensitization of train drivers iv) regulation of garbage disposal v) joint patrolling etc. are proposed. Eight (8) underpasses have been proposed in the entire stretch so as to facilitate smooth movement and crossing of wild animals,” he said.
Further, Sawant says, on the recommendations of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Railway Authorities have been instructed to explore the option of putting gates on tunnels opened through some mechanical/ electronically controlled switches before train arrivals for minimising trapping of wild animals in tunnels.
“Doubling of track is a project of national importance for strengthening infrastructure and improve connectivity, which will lead to socio-economic development of people,” he said.